NORTH LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Arkansas State Police (ASP) announced that they have arrested a man wanted out of El Salvador who was connected to what they described as a "violent South American gang."
ASP said that the arrest happened on Wednesday, Nov. 6 around 9 a.m. as authorities conducted a routine traffic stop on a green Honda Civic that was heading eastbound on I-40 in North Little Rock.
During the stop, ASP said that the vehicle's passenger, identified as 42-year-old Elias Avila Bustillo, fled on foot into a nearby field. From there, additional troopers, air support, and a K9 unit provided backup which led to Bustillo being located roughly an hour later.
ASP said that Bustillo is "in the United States illegally and is wanted in El Salvador for illegal gang associations."
Authorities also said that Bustillo is the subject of an Interpol Red Notice — this means that there was an international alert for law enforcement worldwide to locate and arrest him.
Bustillo was transported by troopers to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Office in Little Rock. He remains in the custody of U.S. Homeland Security Investigations.
